Medicare offers prescription drug coverage to everyone with Medicare. If you decide not to get Medicare drug coverage when you're first eligible, you'll likely pay a late enrollment penalty unless one of these applies:
- You have other creditable prescription drug coverage
- You get Extra Help
To get Medicare drug coverage, you must join a plan run by an insurance company or other private company approved by Medicare. Each plan can vary in cost and drugs covered.
2 ways to get drug coverage
- Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). These plans (sometimes called "PDPs") add drug coverage to Original Medicare, some Medicare Cost Plans, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plans.
- Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) (like an HMO or PPO) or other Medicare health plan that offers Medicare prescription drug coverage. You get all of your Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) coverage, and prescription drug coverage (Part D), through these plans. Medicare Advantage Plans with prescription drug coverage are sometimes called “MA-PDs.” You must have Part A and Part B to join a Medicare Advantage Plan.
How to join a drug plan
Once you choose a Medicare drug plan, here's how you may be able to join:
- Enroll on the Medicare Plan Finder or on the plan's website.
- Complete a paper enrollment form.
- Call the plan.
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
When you join a Medicare drug plan, you'll give your Medicare number and the date your Part A and/or Part B coverage started. This information is on your Medicare card.
Joining a Medicare drug plan may affect your Medicare Advantage Plan
Your Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) will disenroll you and you'll go back to Original Medicare if both of these apply:
- Your Medicare Advantage Plan includes prescription drug coverage.
- You join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D).